Effects of thiabendazole in Mansonella perstans filariasis

Mansonella perstans is a human filarial parasite distributed across the center of Africa and equatorial America. Although M. perstans infection is asymptomatic in most individuals, a variety of symptoms have been described, including angioedema, pruritus, fever, ocular involvement, and serous cavities pain. Eosinophilia is found in many cases. Treatment with diethyl-carbamazine or mebendazole is often ineffective. We present a study on the effects of thiabendazole in the treatment of symptomatic M. perstans filariasis. Twenty-five patients were treated with thiabendazole at a single dose of 50 mg/kg for children and 3 g for adults. Sixteen out of 25 subjects repeated a second dose a week later. Parasite density, eosinophilia, and symptoms were significantly reduced after both one and two-step therapy in most patients. This study shows that thiabendazole may be effective in M. perstans infection. More studies are needed to determine a more effective dosage, or a putative combination treatment.